Nathalie was quietly taken aback. Ashley, who usually had a bossy demeanor towards her, was surprisingly friendly today. Quite odd, really.

Nathalie offered a polite smile, "Thanks."

Ashley guided Nathalie and Lizzy upstairs, and as they rode the elevator, Ashley finally voiced her curiosity, "Ms. Nathalie, what do you want with my grandfather?"

Nathalie's eyes flickered away from Ashley's hand, internally noting the absence of her wedding ring. "Just some things I need to confirm with him," Nathalie replied.

Ashley didn't push for more information and led her straight to Regan's study.

The old man was lively, with gold-rimmed glasses that gave him an air of scholarly elegance. When he saw Nathalie, he only paused for a moment, as if her visit was no surprise, then motioned for Ashley to leave.

"Ashley, you can go now."

Ashley, intrigued by her grandfather's calm demeanor, didn't question him further. She shut the door quietly as she exited.

But she lingered just outside, ear pressed to the door, eavesdropping.

Facing Dustin, Nathalie asked, "Aren't you even a little curious about why I'm here?"

Regan picked up a fountain pen, his writing steady and deliberate, reflecting his composure. He spoke in a voice devoid of surprise, "What brings you here?"

Nathalie took a deep breath, trying to quell the storm inside her, and replied, "Don't you have any idea why I'm here?"

Regan paused, finally looking up to meet her eyes, "I'm not a mind reader. I can't just guess your reasons."

Her hand tightened around the bracelet in her pocket, unsure if she should bring it out.

She sensed that Regan knew who she was, but his chilly attitude screamed of rejection.

Feeling anxious, Nathalie hesitated, unsure of her next move.

Her silence seemed to catch Regan off guard, "Why aren't you saying anything?"

Slowly, Nathalie revealed the bracelet. The moment Regan saw it, his expression darkened considerably. Nathalie, perceptive as ever, read the truth in his reaction.

The Stewart family must have always known about her, yet their longstanding indifference was a clea decision to cut ties from the very beginning.

The truth was a bitter pill to swallow.

Nathalie felt a burning need for answers, unwilling to leave it at that.

"This bracelet was my birth father's, right? I heard it's a Stewart family heirloom?" She fixed her gaze on Regan, watching for any sign of emotion. "I want to know, who is my father?"

Regan's face was stormy, almost as if it could rain any second.

He stayed silent for what felt like an eternity.

Just as Nathalie was ready to abandon her pursuit, Regan finally spoke, "If you find him, what do you plan to do?"

Nathalie's face went pale.noveldrama

"What do you think I'm here for?"

Surely Regan didn't assume she was there to cozy up to a wealthy father?

Regan said, "Whatever money you want, I can provide. But let's end this here. The Stewart family can't handle such a scandal."

Nathalie's slender frame trembled

slightly, and she let out a bitter laugh, "I've already weathered my hardest days. Back then, I didn't get any help from my family, and I'm not foolish enough to expect fatherly love now."